Catalog (335)

Rare 19th Century Korean Kyeongsang Scholar's Study Desk with Persimmon Drawers. Simple and elegant in keeping with the scholar's aesthetic. The upturned ends keep scrolls and writing materials from rolling off the desk. 27 x 12 x 11 inches, 68.5 x 30.5 x 28 cm.

Rare 19th Century Red Lacquered Korean Wedding Box. Red lacquered boxes were reserved by law for members of the royal court. 16 x 13 x 11 inches, 41 x 33 x 28 cm.

Rare 5th Century Korean Gaya Water Jar of Classic Form, Color, and Design. The decoration is incised into the clay between the carved bands before firing. Gaya was a confederation of small states independent from and influential on the the Silla Kingdom and its pottery, until Silla annexed Gaya in the 6th Century. The long neck keeps water from sloshing out while the jar is being carried. Height: 10 inches, 25.5 cm.

Rare and Ancient Celtic Stone Janus from the Published and Renowned Collection of Irwin Hersey, renowned author on primitive art, and publisher of the Primitive Art Newsletter in the 1970s. Irwin Hersey was an advisor to museums and prominent collectors, and vetted pieces for many of the international tribal art fairs. 4.5 inches wide, 3 inches high.

19th Century Korean Hat Box made entirely of Exotic Paulownia (Odong-namu) Wood, from the collection of a French diplomat stationed in Korea in the 1950s. Paulownia is very desirable for collectors because of its beautiful wide grain, light weight, and fire and bug-resistant qualities. The paulownia used for this rare hat box is especially fine. 9.5 x 9.5 x 8.5 (height) inches, 24 x 24 x 21.5 cm.

Rare and Beautifully Embroidered Joseon Dynasty Korean Scholar's Rank Badge (Fusu) adorned with metallic thread throughout giving it a luxurious sheen. After 19 years in business, we have finally acquired a rare Korean rank badge (fusu) for the first time. This one belonged to a scholar aristocrat, as indicated by the cranes. It is rendered in a unique and lovely golden palette and is wonderfully designed with clouds (symbol of longevity), peonies (symbol of wealth or abundance), and rows of wan symbols (the wheel of life and symbol of universal peace and harmony). The wan is a symbol so ancient it actually predates Buddhism and originally represented the revolving sun. In Buddhism it represents the Heart of the Buddha, happiness, and resignation of spirit. 17.5 x 10.5 inches, 44.5 x 27 cm.

Rare and Collectible Small Wood Document Box. This rare type of box is highly valued by collectors. This is a fine and elegant example. 17 x 8.5 x 2.25 inches, 43 x 21.5 x 5.75 cm.

Rare and Fine 19th Century Korean Chaekjang Book Chest. You may never see another like this for under $10,000! 33w x 26.5h x 12d inches, 84w x 67.5h x 30.5d cm.

Rare and Fine Painting on Silk of Dokseong, The Hermit Saint, from the renowned Charles J. Chu Collection. Sold on June 25, 2010 in Skinner's Asian Works of Art auction (Sale 2512, Lot 445). We sold the last Dokseong painting we had to the Art Institute of Chicago. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a beautiful and important painting with an impeccable provenance. Dokseong is portrayed here in a heavenly landscape filled with ancient symbolism, as he sits under the pine tree (symbol of longevity) with a stack of books, beside peonies (symbol of wealth, in this case, a wealth of knowledge and natural beauty), in front of waterfalls and a river (symbols of eternal life), atop a rocky plateau with freshly blooming orchids (orchids are an ancient Korean symbol of purity, modesty, and virtue; rocks symbolizes eternity; so the combination of orchids and rocks have the meaning of eternal adherence to principle). His robe is adorned with clouds (symbol of longevity) and chrysanthemums (symbol of abundance). The chrysanthemums are echoed in the bookshelves. The melons and pomegranates atop the books are fruits with many seeds, so they symbolize plenty. In this case, they represent nature's abundance. Frame: 42 x 33 inches (107 x 84 cm), Painting: 36.5 x 27.25 inches (93 x 69 cm).

Rare and Grand Joseon Dynasty 19th Century Eight-Panel Chaekgeori Still-Life Screen painting on All-Original Mounting. Chaekgeori literally translates to "books and things," and the things are scholar's accoutrements. It is rare to find such an old and important screen on its original silk and wood mounting. They are usually remounted. In fact, the only other 19th century examples you will ever see are all in museums. So this is a once-in-a-lifetime acquisition opportunity for a serious connoisseur of fine art and Korean culture. This genre of painting is uniquely Korean and was created by King Jeongjo in 1791. The shelves of the painting are adorned with books and objects collected from other countries, illuminating the ideas of the erudite and cosmopolitan scholar. The spatial illusion of reverse perspective used in early examples of chaekgeori is masterfully rendered here. This screen inspired the pursuit of knowledge and reverence for cultural values in the many ritual ceremonies it was used in over the decades. 141 x 60 inches, 358 x 152 cm.

Rare and Sublime Nias Island Torque Necklace in a Classic Form made of graduated slices of Coconut Shell. Purchased by a renowned and published collector at Bonham's on May 15, 2008 (Lot 507, page 14 of the catalogue). More provenance information available upon request. 9.25 inches (23.5 cm)

Rare Antique Korean Spirit Shrine Painting (Kam Mo Yo Je Do). Spirit House Paintings are in the collections of several major museums. This painting would have been placed in a place of reverence in the home, and on the anniversary of an ancestor's death, a slip of paper with the ancestor's name would be placed on the blank space in the open doorway of the shrine in the painting and a ritual would have been performed in front of the painting. Kammo means 'to adore with deep emotion' and Yoje means 'to respectfully address the spirits as if they were at the ceremony', and Do means 'painting'. Ink on paper. Frame: 37.5 x 27 inches, 95 x 68.5 cm; Painting: 31 x 21 inches, 79 x 53.5 cm.

Rare Buncheong Vessel by Shin Sang Ho from 1993, during his buncheong period, with the original signed box. A piece that is both beautiful and important in the history of Korean contemporary ceramics. Shin Sang Ho was Dean of the College of Fine Arts at Hongik University, and his work is in the permanent collections of many major museums, including the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Royal Ontario Museum, the Seattle Art Museum, and many other museums throughout Korea, Asia, and the world. This very fine example is probably the only work from Shin Sang Ho's buncheong period that is available for purchase, and that is not already in a museum or private collection. 8.5w x 7.5h inches, 21.5 x 19 cm.

Rare Embroidered Korean Antique Child's Belt (Dolddi) with Sipjangsaeng, the traditional ten symbols of longevity: Sun, mountains, cranes, bamboo, tortoise, pine tree, water, bullocho, clouds, and deer. When the deer, tortoise, and crane are paired, as they are here, they are also a symbol of eternal love. The bamboo is a symbol of integrity and resilience, because it bends in a strong wind and returns to its upright position. The butterfly is a symbol of happiness, and is often paired with the peony flower, an ancient symbol of prosperity. The lotus blossom is a symbol of purity and rebirth, because it rises above the muck of the pond to show its face to the Sun. A beautifully and meticulously embroidered work of art. 16 x 3.5 inches, 40.5 x 9 cm.

Rare Fan Painting by Renowned Buddhist Monk Artist Su An Sunim (born 1940). The calligraphy on this 1997 painting says, "Your smile is an offering to Buddha." The recent exhibition of Su An Sunim's work at the Zen Buddhist Temple in New York City was the most highly-attended exhibition ever presented by the Korean Art Society. At that exhibition, Su An Sunim's works of similar size and quality sold for multiples of the prices we are asking here. Ink and colors on paper. 16.25 x 11 inches, 41 x 28 cm. The second photo here shows a wall label from that exhibition with a price of $2000. That painting is smaller than the Su An painting we are offering here.

Rare Framed Calligraphy by the Last Korean Princess, Yi Bangja (1901 - 1989). A beautiful piece of Korean history created by the last member of the royal household to reside in Korea's royal palace. Princess Yi Bangja is much beloved by the Korean people. She devoted her entire life to the education of mentally and physically handicapped people, and worked tirelessly to support them. She is the subject of television dramas, stage dramas, operas, movies, and books, including her autobiography, "The World is One." This piece reads 위기지학 (ui-gi-ji-hak). It means "Learn for self-cultivation." In other words, don't get an education just so you can show off and gain riches; do it to develop character. Confucius said in the Analects, “People in ancient times learned in order to cultivate their own moral character. People today learn just to impress others.” Frame: 36.5 x 20 inches, 93 x 51 cm; Calligraphy: 26 x 11.5 inches, 66 x 29 cm.

Rare 19th Century Palanquin. There has never been one offered for sale before and it is unlikely you will ever see another one again. The exquisite wood carving on all sides features ancient symbolism of prosperity and longevity. 34h x 28w x 81d inches with poles, 86h x 71 x 206 cm with poles.

Fine, Rare Joseon Dynasty Silver Inlaid Box with ancient Longevity Symbols of Deer, Cranes, key fret pattern, floral and tortoise shell pattern. Double Happiness symbol on the lid. Beautiful Condition. 5.25 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches, 13.5 x 9 x9 cm.